Go to BuyRaycon.com/caspian for 15% off your order! Brought to you by Raycon

As a Mexican I really appreciate his efforts to pronounce things right.

Love you Mexico from a citizen of India.

"inhospitable deserts of baja california" Me, who lives in Mexicali: *e x c u s e m e ?*

Mexico's problem is that it's set up as a land power in an area where being set up as a naval one is more useful

As a mexicano, the fact about a flat Mexico being as big as Asia just blew my mind 🤯

A couple of things: 1) Mexico has always had a good relationship with Cuba, some cynics say that's the reason they never had guerrillas supported by them, as opposed to the rest of Latinamerica (It is worth mentioning Castro & co. trained in Mexico before invading Cuba); 2) Mexico soft power is quite big in Latinamerica, from tv shows to music and literature, to everything in between, they are a cultural powerhouse in the Spanish speaking world, as influential as the Americans, I would say.

I’m from California, but I spent most of the past six years living in Mexico. I consider it a second home, and I’ve earned my permanent residency there. I think most North Americans lack an appreciation for what Mexico is. This video was a good introduction to some of the natural geopolitical challenges Mexico faces, and there’s a whole lot more detail available than anyone could get into with just 17 minutes, but understanding how Mexico’s mountainous geography fragments it is only part of the picture. I consider Mexico the real civilizational core of North America. Although the United States is currently richer and more powerful, and probably will remain so just because of its geographical advantages, Mexico has retained a connection to its ancient past in a way that the US and Canada simply have not. The Spanish, for all of their crimes, really did a better job integrating their culture with that of the millions of native Mexicans than any of the English or French settlers did with the American Indians and First Nations to the north. The result of that is that Mexico still has a cultural depth of the sort that can only be compared to other ancient countries like China and Persia. I didn’t understand that very well until I finally visited the pyramids of Teotihuacán for myself at the end of my six years there. There really is something otherworldly and spiritually powerful about it. And it’s not just the archaeology. It’s the food, it’s the traditions, it’s the dances, it’s the native languages, it’s the whole way of life. It makes Mexicans confident about themselves as a people on a deeper level than the USA’s sense of freedom and individualism. Mexicans do have their own internal political squabbles, but it’s nothing like the bitter and hateful rancor that exists in the United States. Mexicans are still a unified nation of people. And when you consider that cultural power and the influence that this unity and heritage wields over the Mexican people, you get a better picture of what the future is probably going to look like for the entire continent. Immigration patterns change over time, but Mexicans are already one of the largest immigrant groups in both the United States and Canada. That influence is going to permanently alter the composition and relationships of all three countries. Mexico has serious challenges to deal with. It is not an easy country for a government to hold together without brutal force. But if you want to see what the future of the United States and Canada looks like, look south. As the cultures of these three countries become more blended and unified through trade, business, immigration, and diplomacy, that will change everything. The USA might have the economic power for now, but Mexico’s culture will supersede it. Also, seriously nobody has better food on this whole planet than the vendors on the streets of Mexico City.

As an American 🇺🇸I feel obliged to learn more about our brother Mexico 🇲🇽!

Man your pronunciation of every name in Spanish was excellent, congrats.

México already has a lot of softpower in the global stage, they are called tacos. Edit: it's a joke, you people need to take a chill pill.

Mexico is a wonderful country, full of natural beauties and history, and one of the most visited on the world. Mexico has the largest number of UNESCO world heritage sites in the Americas!!!. Cheers!

Mexico is so mountainous that if the country were flattened it would be the size of Asia. That's a fun fact to learn about Mexico.

And it's off to the comments section to hear what the experts think.

As a Canadian, I have got to say that I have never met a Mexican that I didn't like. Good people, survivors. Beautiful country! The fact that I could canoe, walk or ride a horse or bike there is so cool, and they have pyramids and ancient history! It gives me hope that we will discover some of that here in Canada some day too!

Mexico is a country full of Culture but unfortunately corruption is ruining it Hopefully that goes away

The south of Mexico is one of the most safe region in Mexico, we can be poor people but we are honest. The Mayan world (South of Mexico) is the most importante touristic zone in this country.

I've never heard anything about Mexico that is not related to cartels. Thanks for this informative video a breath of fresh air!

Mexico, the ONLY nation that has a city square named for it in Addis Ababa. Mexico Square since the middle of last century. Mexicans, decent people.

Mexico, best cuisine on earth hands down. Grew up forty miles north of the border. Good food, good people

Nice country, warm people. Greetings to Mexico from a Turk in Germany

"Oh my! My country is in the Caspian Report!" - my immediate reaction, as I gasped and proceeded to promptly click.

Hola Mehiko! I hope we will revive the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade like what we had during the Spanish time. Saludos desde las Filipinas!

In Latin America Mexico is light years ahead....

North American squad!!! ✊🇨🇦🇲🇽🇺🇸 I wouldn’t ask for a better set of neighbors

"...there is no way around this. Being neighbors with a superpower requires some flexibility." 😂

I'm Salvadoran but I'm happy mexico got an episode 💪🇸🇻🇲🇽

Mexico is a good country that should be a great country. It has everything going for it.

"In turn, Washington is forced to intervene in Mexico's affairs." Nice line bro, it works everywhere else in the world the US has intervened too huh?

I have nothing useful to add but I want to help my boy shirvan in the algorithm

Mexicans are some of the hardest working people with strong family values. Respect.

As a real Mexican, I approve this video.

“Located in the backyard of a superpower” hahaha :( the backyard where you grow your weed

"Rio Grande River" means "Big River River", right?

Really nobody is going to point out that western Mexico is where most of the agriculture is done? Sinaloa and Jalisco are the most important agricultural zones and yet your map had Tamaulipas and Veracruz.

For some reason this video had quite a few poetic moments. "Birthplace of revolution and cradle of crime" "Knife pointed at the heart of mexico"

"A country so exhausted of war that it didn't care losing his liberty in exchange for peace"

Just one note: Modern railways started developing in the 1800s and Mexico independence was in 1821, so the Spaniards could do very little to interconnect the country. They built the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, with interconnected the north with the central capital, and nowadays it remains as UNESCO World Heritage, spanning from México to well inside US territory

The size of Asia if flattened? Woah very interesting. I want Cozumel

I grew up in the US and only went to Mexico when I was already 40 years old. I had no idea how badass it actually is. We always thought it was poor and inferior, and it's really not. It's a lot going for it.

Amazing Spanish pronunciation! Thanks for this cool look at Mexico. I'm a Canadian living there so this gives me a whole new perspective. Thanks!

We definitely need a video about the rise and current power of the cartels. That's like half of Mexican and U.S. foreign policy right there.

I'm from Mexico. I've been following this channel for a while. I liked the review, but I expected more from it; I think it misses a lot. Not to complain about it, actually I'm grateful for the attention. Keep up the good work!

As a Mexican, I never knew we were living in constant threat of invasion from our coast on the Gulf of Mexico 🤔

Mexico is like long lost brother of India. I mean both love spicy food, both have neighbours trying to breach the sovereignty, mountainous terrain, and corrupt politicians. Love from India

I didn't know that Mexico was so mountainous.

As a born native of Mexico I'm really glad you covered my country's transition from using external pressures to force unity (creating opposition narratives) to the strategy Mexico is currently using: a more democratically based movement to create a truly united Mexican people. Edit: Currently attempting*** to use

En realidad el problema de las drogas esta en creer que solo combatiendo en México desaparecerán los adictos en Estados Unidos.

I have watched a few episodes from Caspian report. The breadth of your topics is stunning and seems to come with a real understanding for the local issues

I really wanna go to Mexico, there's so much to see there

I'm Mexican and this video has been an excellent window into Mexico's geopolitics. Well done.

I am truly a Mexican living in the US and I value so much this report (video) about my mother land, Mexico!!!

It is a bit harsh to blame the Spanish for not investing in rail networks during their 300 year rule... the Mexican War of independence started just 6 years after the invention of rail-transport in the UK

Viva 🇲🇽!

Awesome analysis. Never knew so much about Mexico and its geopolitics.

Bro i live in the "mexican plateau" and you are wrong when you say that in this zone lives the crime, everybody knows that the big cartel is Sinaloa and they are on Sierra Madre Occidental

You said Yucatan is not useful because of agricultural difficulties... but the tourism from Cancun, Merida and not to mention Chichen Itza make it a huge GDP factor for Mexico.

I’m Mexican and I’m impressed by how well-documented the video was made, it covered a lot of topics I wouldn’t expect. I’d like to add some points: 1. Mexico has the biggest trade dependency to other country. About 80%-90% of our exports/imports are with the USA. 2. Cartels were not a serious threat until the terrible and brutal presidency of Felipe Calderón (2006-2012). In his first day as president he declared war to c@rtels. Actually it was just a pretext for a multimillionaire business where American guns producers sneaked and sold thousands of military-exclusive weapons to c@rtels. It is currently being investigated and that’s the reason why Calderón feared the “El Chapo” extradition (his attorneys have given evidence about his implications). 3. The Chiapas “Zapatista Revolution” has never been a serious threat, it’s just a local movement of indigenous people against landowners, they demand self-governance according to their ancient customs. In fact Chiapas is the less _Mexican_ state of Mexico. During the Spanish rule it belonged to the Captaincy General of Guatemala and chose to be part of Mexico when the Federal Republic of Central America separated from the new-born Mexican Republic (even nowadays some Guatemalans say that Mexico _stole_ them Chiapas). 4. Even though the north states secession has always been a threat (in 1840 three states located below current Texas seceded and created the short-life Rio Grande Republic) it is said that Mexico Valley cultural heritage is so strong which has kept the Federation united. Particularly the Aztec identity and the characteristic “Virgen de Guadalupe” worship. Even though nowadays less Mexicans are strictly religious, historically Mexican identity was bind to this particular cult. After the American victory in the Mexican-American war, Americans obliged Mexicans to firm the surrender in a village near the “Cerro de Guadalupe”, place where the virgin is worshipped. The did so because they considered that the only way Mexicans could keep the utterly disadvantageous and humiliating surrender (the delivery of 2,100,000 squared km) was that they signed it in such a symbolic place for the Mexicans.

I used to live in rural southern Mexico, and Mexico is filled with so many of the most amazing people I've ever met (and some of the very best food, too ;) )

Wow, I did not know 95% of this information even though I've lived in a US border state my whole life. I sort of thought all of Mexico was agricultural. Knowing how geographically diverse Mexico is clears a lot of stuff up. Thanks for the great video!

16:39 the moon startled me

Final comment: Mexico being a bridge to Latin America is a great way to earn favor from the US but just as importantly is to be a *barrier* from Latin America, which Trump and AMLO have agreed on, stopping Central American caravans. In this sense, Mexico is already helping America very much.

When talking about the power of cartels and lack of stability you really need to talk about the US "war on drugs".

Thank you! ive been waiting for this one

Here in the Philippines there's also Sierra Madre😱😱😍

*Love to Mexico and Mexican people from 🇮🇳, one of the oldest civilisation of the world* Edit: I was talking about India, my country though. Indus valley civilisation is one of the earliest sights of civilisation alongwith Mesopotemian or Egyptian civilisation.

Mexico is the USA's best frenemy. Their influence on the USA is unlike any other nation and trade deals are crucial to each other yet they're always in some "conflict"

Just subscribed! Thought I was! Watched almost your entire playlist over the last couple years. Very illuminating. Thanks for your efforts & sorry for my oversight!

I have been to Yucatan Peninsula and Baja California. Mexico has such a contrasting landscape. On one side there is tropical climate with white sandy beaches, on the other side is desert with rocky and sandy beaches.

I did not know that the Mexican government had concerns about the us just annexing northern mexico.

I was born in Mexico , raised in Canada, and moved back when I was 19. One of the biggest things that has occurred in the past 11 years I have lived here since moving back, is the rise of the Cartels. Never have they been so powerful, has they are now. They have so much influences all over Mexico. The turf wars, are basically never ending. Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, where I live, was spared these wars for the most part but that has completely changed for the worse in the past 5 years or so. The amount of violence is incredible, and that together with corruption in almost all areas of the government has been a disaster to say the least. I fear there will be military intervention from the United States in the next 6 years if things get worse. Given all these circumstances, this area has still prospered like never before. Being only 4 hours from the United States, factories big and small have popped up all over the places, and most of them fabricating different types of equipment to export to the United States. Along with that, farming has made huge strides but some what rocky the last couple of years due to bad weather and other circumstances. There is also a lot of importing of farm, construction, mining and industrial equipment from the United States. It's hard to tell exactly where we are headed going into 2021 and beyond. I try to stay optimistic and positive when thinking of the future, but there is definitely uncertainty. I am also surprised to how the people have adapted to the violence not letting hinder there dreams and aspirations. That gives me hope in knowing how good we are at adapting. At the same time, I am always thinking what the breaking point will be to all of the violence. When is enough, enough? Cheers to the future

This content you put out is so good. Crystal-clear, comprehensive and concise. You are a gifted presenter and communicator. ❤️

I love Mexico City. So much culture.

Please make a video on the geopolitics of the Philippines.

Great and much anticipated episode!

Saludos from Portugal. Viva Mexico!

Super informative, but if you're doing a video on Mexico use Mexico's name for the river bordering Texas. Rio Bravo instead of Rio Grande.

Mexico has always had a love-hate relationship with its gigantic neighbour to the north. We have been allies, enemies, friends, foes, partners and associates during our 200 years of neighborship. There are many mexicans that are deeply in love with the US, some others that hate it; I hope we can be friends and allies in the future and let go that turmoil of a past we have between us. I admire and fear the US at the same time, but I love Mexico, we have many problems here, but it very well may be the most beautiful nation on earth. Thanks for the awesome content Shrivan, very well reserched.

Great work! Loved this episode.

Im hooked on these videos. Love your take on things!

Please do geopolitics of the Mediterranean Sea next!

This is a great video. As an American i want strong Mexico.

Fascinating to learn more about my neighbors to the south! I didn’t realize quite how mountainous Mexico is! Stay well out there everybody, and Jesus Christ be with you friends.😊

great report. Thanks so much

Here is me helping with the logarithms. Ps: Chirvan, I would very much like to hear your take on Brazil.

Washington isn't forced to intervene in another country's affairs. Washington just chooses to intervene in another country's affairs all the time.

Great video. Appreciate the objective insight, as well as you’re historical introduction

Incredibly informative episode!! 😃 Nice work!!

Finally got the video I have been asking for. This made my day :) Thank you.

Learning about geopolitics really puts a lot of economic realities into perspective. The people of Chiapas can blame their poverty on imperialism, capitalism, or whatever, but the fact is that they live in a land devoid of resources and abundant in barriers like mountains and rainforests. What hope did they ever have of being prosperous compared to other parts of Mexico?

Im from Mexico and I approve this message.

Stumbled across this channel today. So informative and professionally presented. Bravo!

Mexico is already the USA's main trading partner, right?

"México is so near to US and so far of God."

A fact that is often overlooked is how deeply intertwined the Mexican and US economies are, and the deep connection between both countries through family. The US is the country where most Mexicans live outside mexico and mexico is also the country where most US expatriates live. Given the heavy migration occurred throughout the 80s and 90s most Mexicans families have a relative who is a US citizen. The US military reflects this as well. While three out of ten US Marines is of latin American descent, one in ten is of Mexican descent as of 2020. This is a fact that is often overlooked, since it is easy to think of both countries and cultures being like water and oil, however reality is very different.

Love this video! Learned so much

I love the report, as always. One thing I would have loved to hear a bit more about is Mexico's soft power as it relates to it's culture, not just to the rest of the world but specifically to the US with the largest diaspora of people living in one specific country (about 10m people) but also to Latin America. I have a feeling Mexican cultural influence in LatAm has fallen as the world becomes more connected to the internet and people have more access to information and content in other parts of the world but at the same time (coincidentally) Mexican influence in US affairs has increased with the rise in Mexican immigrants in the country after the signing of NAFTA in 1994. It is also important to point out that Mexico became in 2019 the largest trading partner of the US, above China and Canada, with nearly 6million jobs DIRECTLY tied to the trade between the two countries (not to mention the jobs that are created indirectly). For perspective, the US workforce is about 150million in total. Having about 3% of total jobs in the US tied to a single country yields that particular country considerable influence. I wonder how Mexico could exert that influence to it's benefit or is the country's internal struggle to maintain centralized power too demanding to even try? Again great video, it just left me wanting to know a bit more. Maybe someday a second video @CaspianReport? I would love to see your analysis.

As a person who lives right next to the American Méxican Border in San Diego I commonly visit Tijuana and have visted and met the people around the northern parts of México. I agree with your aspects of possible USA influence as northern México is most defiantly the most American part but I would not say that any large enough succession movement would ever happen to join the United States one aspect of México is that many regions/states have some aspect of independence like the previous republics of the Rio Grande and Sonora.I am happy as you mentioned the zapatistas of southern México very few non Méxican people know about this and even mentioned within media. One final aspect that falls within your last part is that México has a surprisingly amount of potential if the cards are played correctly México can call its self on of the great powers of the world and most the defiant over the spanish-speaking countries due to its large population, culture influence within latin America and the in the western parts of the United States. Finally México suffers somewhat Poland does, a hidden power which is always going to be overshadowed by its more influential and powerful neighbor but has a much high potential within its region and having vast amounts of influence. Thankyou Caspian Report I believe many of us wanted to see this and you have done with a great amount knowledge

Very interesting information, thank you !

Awesome report. Thanks!